It Is Not Goals That Truly Matter

We are often encouraged to dream big and set ambitious goals, believing this is the key to action. What if this is wrong? What if goals, in fact, are not the foundation of success as we've been taught? What if goals and dreams, while well-intentioned, may be inherently flawed and counterproductive?

Take the classic example of waking up on January 1st and declaring to the bathroom mirror, “I am going to lose 20 pounds in time for my summer vacation.” While this goal might initially seem motivating, is this really the best approach to improving one’s fitness and overall sense of health?

I don’t think so. I see short-term, unsustainable behaviors, such as extreme diet or over-exercising, that are neither sustainable nor healthy in the long-run. I see the obsession over a single number on a scale rather than thinking about overall well-being in a more holistic way. I see the stress of meeting a particular weight-loss goal and the anxiety it produces, making fitness activities and healthy eating into a chore. (Here’s a secret: nobody likes doing chores.)

The end result of all of this? Giving up and finding oneself back to square one—now with the added pressure of feeling like a complete failure. 

This is not how we introduce positive change into our lives.

The Better Approach? Systems and Actions.

What if you instead, come January 2nd, take a brisk walk before starting your work day. And you continue doing that on January 3rd, 4th and onwards? 

All of a sudden, you have a system in place, a system that focuses on consistency and gradual improvement. Success, thus, is no longer this daunting, singular event, which you either achieve or not, but rather a natural byproduct. Walking 20 minutes in the morning before work is far more achievable than looking to lose 20 pounds at a particular date, reducing the pressure and stress associated with goals and instead fostering sustainable and enjoyable systems and actions.

Not only that, systems and actions offer flexibility and adaptability. Perhaps you realize on January 6th that walking 20 minutes before work is not feasible, but ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes after lunch is. With systems and actions, you can adjust and pivot as needed without losing momentum.

Finally, focusing on the journey rather than just the destination will make you feel happier and more content. Goals inherently suggest a state of lack or insufficiency, deferring happiness until the goal is achieved. 

Systems and actions, on the other hand, generate a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction through daily actions and small wins. 

By embracing systems and focusing on daily actions, you'll find yourself progressing more steadily and with less stress.

Start small, stay consistent, and watch your dreams become a reality.